Your wardrobe is several things at once. Obviously, it’s a reflection of your individual style that allows you to express yourself. But it’s also functional, keeping you warm, cool or well-dressed for work. And occasionally, it’s a statement on personal ethics: The clothes you choose represent how you feel about the environment, labour conditions and small business support, among other things.
If you want to give your wardrobe a boost in all three of those categories, consider merino wool. Spun from the wool of Merino sheep, this ultra-fine material merges style, functionality and ethical sustainability in a way that no other material manages.
Strangely underrepresented in most guy’s closets, this super-fabric deserves a signal boost. That’s why this article is taking some time to extol the virtues of merino wool. Here are a few reasons every guy needs more merino wool in their closet.
It Makes for a Great Travel Companion
Merino wool is a godsend on long trips. It’s both insulating and breathable, meaning it stands up to strange fluctuations in weather. The material is sweat-wicking, keeping you dry as you lug your suitcase from the hotel to the train.
And, best of all, it’s antibacterial. Some travellers wear their mens merino wool t shirts for weeks on end, reporting no off-odours. And because it lasts so long between washes, you only have to pack a couple of items, keeping your bag light and compact.
You Can Dress It Up or Down
The best merino wool clothing is sophisticated without being flashy, well-made without being showy. A merino wool sweatshirt or t-shirt looks just as good on a first date as it does at a bar with buddies.
Partly, its balancing act of high style and casual down-to-earthness comes down to how it’s sewn. But merino wool has an edge before it even hits the sewing machines; because it drapes just right, without falling too loosely or standing too rigidly, it usually comes out looking fantastic.
It Is Sustainable and Renewable
Fast fashion’s focus on cheap quality, planned obsolescence, non-sustainable materials and chemical fibres is hurting the planet. Fortunately, in recent years, more guys have started to pay attention to the issues surrounding clothing manufacturing. People understand that how they spend their money on clothes can make a difference.
Merino wool is a great alternative to cotton (which contributes to decreased soil fertility), polyester (which results in planet-harming wastewater) and chemical fibres. The wool is sustainable, renewable, natural, and it biodegrades in landfills.
All-Weather Wear for a Minimalist Closet
Finally, the same reasons that make merino great for travelling also make it a year-round pick for any minimalist closet. It fares well as a base layer in cold weather and a solo layer in the summer. It wicks sweat, breathes and lasts a long time between washes. If you are putting together a minimal wardrobe, merino wool should be at the top of your shopping list.
For the unaware reader, those are a few benefits of merino wool. If you love to travel, want to pare down your clothing, or simply want versatile and sustainable clothing, dress yourself in merino wool.
